Connecting link



July 23, 1929. N, ALEXANDER 1,721,801

CONNECTING LINK Filed Sept. 18, 1928 INVENTOR. 3 jgz'cholas Jiexand Patented July 23, 1929.

UNITE TTES NICHOLAS ALEXANDER, 0F LORAIN, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 GEORGE 'B.

1,721,8ai r FLFICE.

WICKENS, OF LORA IN, OHIO.

CONNECTING LINK.

Application filed. September 18, 1928. Serial No. 306,678.

The present invention relates to improvements in fastening devices, and has reference more particularly to a connecting link.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a link for association with a chain, the link being of such construction as to permit the same to be readily and easily attached or disengaged from the adjacent link of the chain. r

A further and important object is to provide a connecting link which includes a body portion that is open at one side, the body portion being constructed of resilient material whereby the terminals normally tend to spring or spread apart, means being provided for connecting the terminals together and at the same time providing a closure for the open side of the body. 1

A further object is to provide a connecting link of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed. I

Other ob'ects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view of the connecting link showing the same associated with a chain to aiford a connection between one end of the chain and the usual rubber stopper employed to close the drain opening inthe bottom of the wash basin, the connecting link being also associated with the other end of the chain for securing the same to the usual ring or eye member secured on the wash basin.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the connecting link, per se, showing the same in its closed position.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the connecting link drawn on an enlarged scale showing the securing strip for connecting the terminals of the open sided body, a portion of the connecting strip being shown. in section, and

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the free end of the connecting strip detached from the adjacent terminal of the body and showing the normal relation of said terminal with respect to the opening in the connecting strip.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1" designates generally my improved connecting link, the same comprising a body member, 2, that is formed of resilient material, said body being in the present instance bent to substan posite terminal 3. By constructing the body T 2 of resilient material, the terminals 8 and 4: will be normally caused to spread or spring apart. A flat strip of metal 7 is adapted to provide a closure for the open side of the oval shaped body 2 of the connecting link'l, and as is clearly shown in Figure 2, this strip has its end portions enlarged and formed withopenings. One end portion of thestrip 7 is disposed on the terminal 4 against the head 5, the openingin this particular end of the strip being of suchsize as to permit the tiltable movement of the strip in order. to properly manipulate the same as will be herein after more fully described.

The other end of the strip 7 is formed with a similar opening illustrated at 8 for detachable engagement over the terminal 3 when the rounded portion of the oval shaped body are pressed inwardly toward each other and after the apertured end 8 of the strip 7 has been positioned over the terminal 3 beneath the projection 6, the resiliency of the oval. shaped body will. cause the terminals to again spring outwardly whereupon the projection 6 and the head 5 will engage with the upper face of the strip to positively secure the strip against sliding movement on the terminals, and in this manner the open side of the body of the link will be closed, thereby prevent the easual disengagement of the link from the chain to which the links may be attached. It is to be noted that the flat strip 7 when in connecting engagement with the terminals of the body, is disposed completely within the confines of the body, thereby eliminating. all undesirable projections.

In the present instance, I have shown. the link as being associated with the respective ends of the chain 9 for connecting a rubber stopper 10 to one end of the chain, the rubber stopper being used to provide a removable closure for the drain outlet formed in the bottom of a wash basin 7. My improved connecting link furthermore affords a means for connecting the other end of the chain 9 with the usual eye or ring member 12 that is secured to the Wash basin in the manner well known in the art.

It is well known to those familiar with the art of attaching stoppers for wash basins, bath tubs, and the like to achored chains that the links between the stopper and one end of the chain and between the anchoring ring and the adjacent end of the chain are subjected to considerable wear, and in a short time the chain becomes disengaged from the anchoring member, and in a like manner, the stopper is disconnected from the end of the chain. Consequently, a new chain must be used and in order to avoid this unnecessary expense, I have devised an improved connecting link which can be readily and easily attached to afford the proper connection for each end of the chain to the anchoring member and the stopper respectively, and should either of the connecting links become worn, the same can be readily replaced without ne cessitating the replacement of the entire chain.

' A connecting link-of this character can also be used for other purposes where a chain is 1 employed for in any case where separable elements are to be connected together by a link.

The simplicity of my improved connecting link enables the same to be readily and easily operated for opening or closing the same, and furthermore the device will at all times be positive and eflicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed. Also, the connecting link will be strong and durable, and very inexpensive in its manufacture.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to with out departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is r A' connecting link of the class describe comprising a substantially oval-shaped body formed of spring metal, the free ends thereof being directedinwardly to provide terminals that are normally separated from each other and in substantial parallel relation thereto, and means for connecting the terminals together when the latter are contracted, said means comprising a fiat connecting strip loosely mountedat one end on one of the terminals, the other end of said strip being formed with an enlarged opening for removable disposition over the adjacent terminal, and a projection formed on said last mentioned terminal for engagement with the upper face of the strip to prevent casual displacement of the free end portion thereof from said terminalsaid strip being disposed completely within the confines of said body.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NICHOLAS ALEXANDER. 

